Dad.
Pa.
Whatever he goes by in your house, he’s your old man and the time has come to celebrate him. This year, however, you’re not going to fall back on the usual. No. This year, we’re helping you go the extra mile for the guy who taught you a heck of a lot about the world and how to be in it.
We Found The Best Of Old Standbys
An electric drill? Forget it. Unless it’s a hard-hitting 20-volt hand cannon with one of the best batteries available.
We’ve dug deep to find the best of some familiar, guaranteed-to-please items your dad might be lacking or need to upgrade.
But we didn’t stop there.
Out-Of-The-Box New Ideas
Want to push the envelope with this year’s gift? We got you.
Premium, hand-cut steaks from a master butcher.
A subscription to a powerful learning platform.
The hottest new kitchen tool he’s heard about, but not tried yet.
We’ve designed this guide to give you fresh ideas that will be both surprising and useful.
Father’s Day Ideas For Your Kind Of Dad
Does your dad love books? Or is he more into working with his hands? Does he adore Tom Clancy, or the Great British Baking Show?
Whatever your flavor of dad, we’ve broken out the guide by archetypes. Play it safe and hew to his interests, or get spicy and give him something outside his comfort zone … the choice is yours.
The Elder Geek
1. Apple Airpods 2
Sleek and long-lasting with three hours of battery life, Airpods are the simplest wireless headphone to set up – period.
2. Radio Scanner
Compact yet powerful, this handheld radio scanner will connect your dad with weather and emergency broadcasts, sporting events, and a nationwide community of radio enthusiasts.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8” Tablet
Samsung’s Tab A series offers solid performance at a more affordable price-point and set up is familiar and fast for Android users who love their Google suite.
4. Solid State External Hard Drive
For the dad who loves editing family pictures and home movies!
When it comes to video or photo editing, nothing boosts performance like a solid state hard drive. This external gives performance and redundancy – simply mirror this to your internal hard drive and you’ve got peace of mind with blazing fast transfer speeds.
5. Casetify UV Phone Sanitizer
Casetify’s nifty device uses six UV light bulbs to zap germs in just 3 minutes. And it’s a wireless charger, too. While the company doesn’t provide data about which microorganisms are eliminated, UV light is widely used in healthcare settings to reduce germs.
The Craftsman
6. 210-Piece Stanley Tool Set
Primer tested and approved, this toolset is the perfect refresher for anyone who's watched their tools scatter to all corners of the garage over the years.
7. Telescoping Magnetic Pick-up Tool
Able to heft 15 pounds, this is the perfect add-on gift for the handy-man whose joints might be creaking a bit more when he has to pick up a loose bolt.
8. Lithium Battery Drill
Professional grade for serious applications, this beast of a drill delivers 620 in-lbs of torque with a precise chuck and long-lasting battery. Pros love this.
9. General Tools Contour Gauge
A must-have for serious wood-working and home projects, this contour gauge copies molding, tile, and flooring in a snap. Help your dad make his house in to This Old House!
10. Leatherman Charge Plus TTi
The Charge Plus TTi sounds like it should be a performance sedan from Audi or Lexus, which makes sense: it’s the standard by which all other multi-tools are measured. Lighter, stronger, and sharper than the rest, plus made in the USA.
The Home Chef
11. Hudson Durable Goods Denim Apron
Every serious home chef or grill master needs a serious apron. Four large pockets and a quick-release buckle make this denim apron a welcome gift for any cook.
If you’d like to upgrade to waxed canvas – quicker to break in and acquires that wonderful patina – check out this American-made Flint & Tinder model from Huckberry for $80.
12. Pat Lafrieda Beef
The last of the great family-owned New York butchering companies, Pat Lafrieda supplies the likes of Shake Shack, Minetta Tavern, and hundreds of other top-notch eateries around the world. By giving LaFrieda steaks or burgers, you’re giving the best – at an incredibly competitive price compared to other “high end” steak order companies. Can be ordered online and received in a matter of days.
13. Air Fryer
Get your dad in on the air fryer craze …and reap the benefits when you come over for dinner! Says Primer founder Andrew, “I’m probably taking mine on a roadtrip in a couple weeks … it’s what microwaves should be!”
14. Cuisinart Electric Smoker
Easy to assemble and propane free, this Cuisinart free-standing smoker is the perfect upgrade for a dad who’s been grill-smoking, but would like to take his game to the next level.
15. Global 8″ Chef's Knife
The ideal upgrade from a big box store $40 chef’s knife, this professional grade blade designed by designer Komin Yamada holds its edge. The Japanese brand’s line is made of a harder alloy with a thinner blade than European knife brands. The knife has a lifetime warranty and is trusted by professionals.
The Gearhead
16. Racing Series Subscription
NASCAR, $45 | IndyCar, $55 | Formula 1, $80
Give your dad the gift of speed with an all-access subscription to his favorite series, whether it’s NASCAR, IndyCar, or Formula 1. Unlike regular cable, these digital subscriptions come with fun bells and whistles, like leaderboards, in-car cameras, and more goodies.
17. Steve Mcqueen: The Man And Le Mans
Amongst gearheads, Mcqueen is just as famous for his racing career as his movies. This gripping documentary tells the story of a man obsessed with capturing the most legendary race in motorsports … and how it almost wrecked his life. If you’ve got a few extra grand sitting around, pick up McQueens famous square watch too.
18. Exotic Car Experience
Help your dad check a big one off his bucket list by giving him a few laps on track with his favorite supercar. Check your local groupon or find a track near you with Xtreme Xperience, which hosts events in 35 cities nationwide.
The Scholar
19. Pilot Falcon Collection Fountain Pen
Nothing says old-world class like signing documents and notes with a genuine fountain pen. Boasting a 14 karat gold tip and a reputation for polished, unique writing output, this is the perfect entry-level fountain pen for your scholar dad.
20. On The Road: The Original Scroll
Kerouac wrote his first draft of On The Road on tracing paper, which he later assembled into a 120-foot long scroll – like the latter day bard he was. This is the unedited version of an American class, more visceral and rollicking than anything before it.
21. Masterclass Subscription
Who wouldn’t want to learn more about cooking from Gordon Ramsay, or biology from Jane Goodall, fitness from Steph Curry, or thriller writing from Dan Brown. Masterclass brings the biggest names into your living room.
The Classic Rocker
22. Abbey Road Anniversary 3 Vinyl Set
Packed with alternate takes, remasters, and revealing moments, this three 180 gram vinyl set is a collector’s item for collectors and non-collectors alike.
23. Crosley C100 Belt-Drive Turntable
Recommended by Rolling Stone as the perfect synthesis of classic styling and modern technology, the Crosley C100 will bring old collections to life.
24. The History Of Rock N Roll Definitive Documentary Box Set
Rare interviews, disappeared performances, and over 200 exclusive interviews make this must-viewing for any music nerd. We mean it. Why else would we suggest actual DVDs?
The Best Grandpa
25. Freestanding Hammock
Give the gift of kicking back, chilling out, and enjoying summer with this freestanding, tempered steel frame hammock.
26. Baby Bag/Backpack Crossover
Grandpas love spending time with their grandkids … and you love having some free child-care. Make visits to the park or splash pad easy with a backpack/baby bag two-in-one that he can use during his civilian life, too.
27. Lovevery Subscription
Age and brain-appropriate toys and learning resources sent to your door every 2-3 months make going to Grandpa’s house a treat. Lovevery is Primer baby tested and approved.
The Style Scrooge
We included a special category for those dads – you know, the ones who wear their favorite t-shirts and sandals down to the threads in summertime.
28. Anson Belt Box
These Primer tested belts are buckle-swapple and micro-adjustable, meaning your dad can gain his fall football 5 and still have a perfectly tailored belt every day.
29. Champion Athletic Gear
We asked ourselves, “What’s Lululemon for old guys?” The answer is the same as it was in 1985: Champion. Quality, affordable, and newly upgraded with techy fabrics, Champion is clothing your dad will actually use.
30. Sandals
Who knew that in 2019 “Dad sandals” were an honest-to-god high fashion trend (but we’re not endorsing it). Your dad didn’t know, and chances are he needs to replace his.
Only you know what kind of sandal your dad wears, so shop Amazon right now and save up to 50% on sandals for dad. After all, we wouldn’t want to recommend Keen if he’s a Birkenstock guy.
